CiCi Bellis, Atherton teen, stuns tennis world at U.S. Open

By John Reid

Daily News Staff Writer

Posted:
08/27/2014 06:08:48 AM PDT

Updated:
08/27/2014 10:59:15 AM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

Catherine Bellis, of the United States, reacts after a point against Dominika Cibulkova, of Slovakia, during the first round of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The 15-year-old Bellis stunned the world's 13th-ranked player, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open, becoming the youngest winner at one of tennis' four major tournaments since Russia's Anna Kournikova won as a 15-year-old in 1996.

The tournament in New York City is known for its raucous crowds, and Bellis became an instant fan favorite.

"The crowd is what got me through," Bellis told The Daily News on Tuesday evening. "I had seen crowds like this on television since I was little, but nothing is quite like the real thing. I was down 3-1 in the third and the chants of 'Let's go CiCi' got me back in the match. Ultimately, the New York crowd is why I won that match."

Feeling the crowd rooting heavily for the underdog, Bellis seemed to turn up her game a notch in the decisive set, breaking Cibulkova's serve to even it 3-3. Bellis punctuated her winning shots with enthusiastic pumps of a fist, inciting the crowd further.

The match ended with another service break when Cibulkova hit into the net, sending Bellis over to her nearby cheering section to celebrate.

Bellis is the No. 2-ranked Junior player in the world. She earned a spot in the U.S. Open by winning the national 18-and-under title in San Diego 17 days earlier. She was the youngest to win that tournament since Lindsay Davenport, one of the game's all-time greats, won it in 1991 also at age 15.

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Bellis, a home-schooled 10th-grader, had nothing to lose against the 12th-seeded Cibulkova, who is known for her quick and aggressive style of play. Cibulkova, 25, has won four singles titles in her career and was a finalist in January at the Australian Open, another of the sport's four "Grand Slam" tournaments.

"I was being aggressive on every shot in the match," Bellis said. "I had some incredible serves that got me through some tight games. In the end, my forehand is what won me that match. I love my forehand.

"My strategy was to attack every chance I got and to aggress on the second serve. I have watched Cibulkova so much over the years, I knew how she played. I couldn't push anything in or she would have destroyed me. I had to aggress and move forward."

Bellis took it to Cibulkova by expertly moving the ball around.

"I wasn't thinking out there at all," Belis said. "I just played. I train and train and train four or five hours a day, then the matches just come naturally for me. I am a naturally smart player, but I don't think it had anything to do with intelligence. It's tennis IQ."

Television analyst Chris Evert, who reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open in 1971 when she was 16, kept repeating how well Bellis saw the court. Evert and play-by-play man Mike Tirico found themselves caught up in the moment, realizing what a big moment it was.

"I love Chris Evert," said Bellis of the American tennis legend. "She is the best. I see the court very well. It's natural for me. I am good at finding a small corner of the court that my opponent has a hard time reacting to. It has always been one of my strengths."

After the match, Bellis ran across the court to hug one of her practice partners, Tayler Davis -- a tennis star at Mitty High in San Jose and at Cal -- who has hit with Bellis the past four years.

Bellis then rushed over to be interviewed by Darren Cahill, working for ESPN courtside.

"When you woke up in the morning, did you give yourself a chance at winning this match, or was it more about the experience?" asked the Australian Cahill.

"It was more about the experience," Bellis said. "I was going to come out and try my best as always. I never thought I'd come out like this."

Bellis' mother, Lori, was too nervous to watch the match.

"I hid in the locker room and prayed CiCi got in a few games," Lori Bellis said.

CiCi got more than a few games as she etched her name in the U.S. Open history books.